Month: January 2011

Every year we try to host a gathering of fellow-campers, usually located in some remote and historic area in Arizona, and this year we plan to do the same!

The dates – Thurs Mar 30 – Sun Apr 02, 2011.

We are co-sponsoring this years trip with Little Guy Trailers, world leading manufacturers of tear-drop campers. (www.golittleguy.com) So far we have folks coming from as far away as Alabama, and this trip promises to be a fun mix of tent and trailer campers.

Over the years we at Paha Que’ have explored many remote areas throughout the West. Our goal has always been to camp in ghost towns, and remote areas of other historical significance. Our adventures have taken us to some pretty fantastic and out of the way sites, long-forgotten by modern society. We avoid popular tourist outdoor destinations and large crowded campgrounds.

So this year we’re heading out to a great desert site in west-central Arizona, near the town of Quartzsite. Once a large and productive gold, silver and copper mining region, much of the area is largely abanoned BLM land. With lots of passable roads that lead to some really great areas. Stark, desert moon-scape that this time of year is surprisingly green and lush after the long winter rains.

Temperature normally hover around the 75 degree mark during the days, with the evening lows in the 50’s. Perfect. And the nightime star-gazing is awesome! Tons of oportunites for hiking, rock-hounding, bird watching, photography, and just relaxing!

We don’t charge to join our trips, unless the group size exceeds BLM limits in which case we need to purchase a permit and therefore ask everyone to split the cost – usually less than $5 per person. We do however plan events for those who wish to participate which include 4WD trips, hikes, star-gazing (we bring the telescope), dutch-over cook offs, and whatever else sounds good at the moment!

We’ll rendesvouz in Quartzsite around noon on Thurs March 30, and from there we will drive another 45-60 minutes to our destination. No 4WD required.

We hope you will consider joining us and our co-sponsor Little Guy Trailers (www.golittleguy.com). For more details about this trip, to suggest a destination for a future trip, or just to talk about camping you can call us toll-free at 888.700.TENT (8368).

There are many brave souls among us that enjoy winter camping. As a Boy Scout I spent many cold, snowy nights in a floor-less tent, with only a plastic sheet and a pile of pine needles between me and the cold hard ground. I remember well the stillness of those cold nights, the roaring fires, and the feeling that somehow we were sharing an experience that few would dare to try. And that even fewer could survive if they did try. Certainly there were some kids who didn’t make it, and who probably never camped again even in summer. It was like learning to ski in a pair of blue jeans. Your first time out, you’re gonna spend a lot of time on your butt, your pants are gonna get wet, and you will end up feeling cold and miserable. Chances are you won’t be back for more. Same with camping – the right equipment makes all the difference, especially for beginners. One wet night in a leaky tent is usually enough to turn all but the more dedicated lifetime campers away. And nothing tests your gear more than camping in winter. Most gear will work well on a warm summer day, but will it perform just as well in sub-freezing temperatures? When covered with snow or when damp? Stoves, tents, lanterns are all susceptible to cold or moisture, some more than others.